Decoding system



Oct. 20, 1964 H. HESS 3,153,700

DECODING SYSTEM Filed April 24, 1962 H a H 31 E1 a l H Hons Hess INVENTOR.

United States Patent re Claims. (Cl. r7s-ss My present invention relates to a decoding system for the control of a multiplicity of loads, e.g. a bank of relays adapted to carry out printing operations and other functions in a teletype receiver, in response to incoming combinations of code signals.

In such systems the combination signals are delivered to the decoder from their source, eg a perforated tape or some other storage medium, over as many incoming channels as there are elements in a code combination or group (eg. five with the usual five-element Baudot code). The several incoming channels serve for the selective energization of a like number of decoding relays arranged in a chain with cascade-connected contacts whereby a maximum of Z outgoing channels can be energized with n such relays. The conventional chain of n decoding relays requires the provision of a total of 2 1 armatures with front and back contacts for this purpose; thus, thirty-one reversing contacts are needed for the selective energization of thirty-two loads over as many conductors. Naturally, the risk of malfunction and the cost of repairs increase with the complexity of the decoder.

It is, therefore, the general object of my invention to provide a simplified decoding system in which the number of relay contacts required for a given number of loads is drastically reduced.

In accordance with the present invention I divide the decoding relays into two complementary chains of (nm) and m relays serving up to 2 and 2 outgoing conductors, respectively n and in being positive unequal integers. The contacts of the two relay chains apply different potentials to selected conductors of the two groups between which the multiplicity of selector relays or other loads are connected in difierent conductor combinations. Advantageously, in order to enable the use of low-resistance selector relays in such system Without any short-circuiting of several conductors of one group, rectifying diodes are inserted in series with each load in the forward direction of current flow. Though the system will be described hereinafter with reference to a direct-current power supply, the different potentials applied by the two relay chains to the associated conductor groups could also be the instantaneous voltages on the terminals of an alternating current source; if diodes are included, the output of the AC. source would be suppressed during alternate half-cycles.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of at least one or preferably two groups of alternate conductors to which the contacts of one or both chains of decoding relays may be switched in order to increase the number of available load channels. Thus, the selector relays may include one or two switching relays for shifting the operating potentials from the principal conductors to corresponding alternate conductors, along with one or two restoring relays for changing back to the principal conductors. Each switching relay, or some circuit element controlled by it, may be held operated in any conventional manner until the corresponding restoring relay is actuated to cancel the shift.

The grouping of the decoding relays into two chains of 2 and 2 relays involves the provision of 2 1 and 2 1 reversing contacts on the two chains, respectively, the total 2 +2 -2 being considerably less than the number of contacts conventionally provided, i.e. 2 -1. Thus, with five decoding relays the maximum number of thirty-two loads can be served by ten relay armatures, instead of the usual thirty-one, if the decoding relays are divided into groups of three and two; in general, the maximum reduction in the number of relay contacts will be realized if m is made equal to or (if n is an odd number) to nil The switching relay associated with a chain of decoding relays needs to have only a single reversing contact (apart from any contacts required for other functions) in which case the decoding relays Will have to be provided with as many supplemental armatures as are necessary to serve the alternate conductors associated therewith; usually the number of these alternate conductors will be somewhat less than that of the principal conductors. It is, however, also possible to leave the number of decodingrelay armatures unaltered and to provide the switching relay (or, if desired, some relay controlled by it) with the armatures necessary for the selective energization of whatever number of alternate conductors are included in this branch of the system.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing whose sole figure diagrammatically illustrates a decoder for a tele printer embodying the features noted above.

A. source of code signals has been illustrated as a tape 10 with the usual transport holes 11 and code perforations 12 occupying some of the five code positions I, II and III, IV, V on opposite sides of the holes 11. Sensing pins 13, co-operating with a counterelectrode 14 tied to one terminal (here ground) of a power supply not shown, are connected via respective leads 15 (representing the incoming channels) through the windings of five decoding relays R-I, R-II, RIII, R-IV and R-V to the other terminal of the power supply. These decoding relays are grouped in two chains respectively consisting of relays R-I, RII and R-III, R-IV, R-V. The negative terminal of the power supply, i.e. ground, is connected to an armature of a switching relay, i.e. the NP (No Print) relay 16, which normally grounds the main armature r3 of relay R-III in cascade with the two main armatures r411, r41) of relay R-IV and the four main armatures r5a, r5b, r50, r5d of relay RV. When operated, relay 16 grounds the supplemental armature s3 of relay R-III in cascade with the two supplemental armatures sea, s4b of relay R-IV and the three supplemental armatures s5a, s5c, s50? of relay R-V (whose supplemental armature corresponding to main armature r5b has here been omitted). The relay chain R-III to R-V controls by its main armatures a group of first principal conductors 21 and by its supplemental armatures a group of first alternate conductors 21". The single armature r1 of relay RI and the two armatures rZa, r2b of relay RII are connected in cascade to apply positive potential on armature r1 to any one of a group of second principal conductors 22 in the unoperated condition of another switching relay, namely the PS (Figure Shift) relay 17, or a group of second alternate conductors 22 in the operated condition of that shift relay. In the particular system illustrated, eight principal conductors 21' and four principal conductors 22' are provided along with six alternate conductors 21 and four alternate conductors 22".

Patented Oct. 20, was

Each of the two switching relays 16, 17 is shown provided with an operating winding and a holding winding, the latter being connected in a holding circuit including a make contact of its own and a break contact of an associated restoring relay, i.e., the PR (Print) relay 18 in the case of the NP relay 16 and the LS (Letter Shift) relay 19 in the case of the FS relay 17. Thus, each switching relay when energized locks operated until released by the restoring relay assigned to it.

A set of leads 23 extend between different combinations of principal conductors 21 and 22' through the windings of respective selector relays 24 bearing alpha betical designations, this group of selector relays also including the FS relay 17 as well as a Stop relay 23a which is energized when no perforations appear on the tape 19 under the pins 13, i.e. when all the decoding relays R-I to R-V (as well as switching relays 16 and 17) are unoperated. Other leads 25 extend between the conductor groups 21 and 22" through the windings of selector relays 26 with numerical and character markings, the NP relay 16 being grouped with these relays. Further leads 27, in series with the windings of a group of nonprinting selector relays which include the CR (Carriage Return) relay 28a and the LP (Line Feed) relay 28b, are connected between certain of the conductors 21 and 22'. Finally, there exist also several leads 29 which pass between certain of conductors 21", 22 through the windings of other nonprinting selector relays, such as the TS (Tabulator Set) relay 300, the TC (Tabulator Clear) relay Silb and the LS relay 19.

Each of the selector relays served by the leads 23, 25, 27, 29 is connected in series with a diode 31 poled in the forward direction of current flow, i.e. with its anode facing the associated positive conductor 22' or 22". The load circuits of the selector relays, controlled by their working armatures and serving to carry out the associated printer functions, have been traced only in part.

Switching relay 17 is the only selector relay without printing function which is included along with the alphabetical relays 24 in the group energizable in the unoperated conditions of either switching relay. This relay must be energized, in the particular arrangement illustrated, if the other switching relay 16 or either of the restoring relays 18, 19 is to be actuated. Relays 26, energizable with relay 17 operated and relay 16 released, serve for the printing of nonalphabetic characters such as figures, punctuation marks and other conventional symbols.

While only some of the printing and non-printing selector relays have been illustrated, it will be apparent that the capacity of my improved system is adequate for the requirements of any conventional printer. If necessary, the number of alternate conductors 21" could be increased to its maximum of eight, through addition of the omitted supplemental armature of relay R-V, yet by the same token the number of both principal and alternate conductors may also be reduced (with suppression of associated relay contacts) if conditions warrant. These and other modifications of the specific embodiment shown and described are deemed to be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art and are intended to be embraced in the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A decoding system for the control of a multiplicity of loads in response to as many combinations of code signals receivable over a plurality of incoming channels, comprising a contact chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to some of said channels for selective energization thereby, a contact chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining channels for selective energization thereby independently of energization of said first relays, a group of first conductors, a group of second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, and a set of leads respectively connecting said loads between different combinations of said first and second conductors for energization of said loads upon development of different potentials at the respective first and second conductors.

2. A decoding system for the control of a maximum of 2 of loads in response to as many combinations of binary code signals receivable over n incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number nm of said channels for selective energization thereby n and m being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining m channels for selective energization thereby, a group of up to Z first conductors, a group of up to 2 second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, and a set of leads respectively connecting said loads between diiferent combinations of said first and second conductors.

3. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of code signals receivable over a plurality of incoming channels, comprising a contact chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to some of said channels for selective energization thereby, a contact chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining channels for selective energization thereby independently of energization of said first relays, a group of first conductors, a group of second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, a multiplicity of selector relays for carrying out different printer functions, and a set of leads respectively connecting said selector relays between different combinations of said first and second conductors for energization of said loads upon development of different potentials at the respective first and second conductors.

4. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over it incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number 11-111 of said chanenls for selective energization thereby n and m being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining in channels for selective energization thereby, a group of up to Z first conductors, a group of up to 2 second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, a multiplicity of selector relays for carrying out dififerent printer functions, and a set of leads respectively connecting said selector relays between different combinations of said first and second conductors.

5. A decoding system for the control of a multiplicity of loads in response to as many combinations of code signals receivable over a plurality of incoming chanels, comprising a contact chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to some of said channels for selective energization thereby, a contact chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining channels for selective energization thereby independently of energization of said first relays, a group of first conductors, a group of second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, a set of leads respectively connecting said loads between difierent combinations of said first and second conductors for energization of said loads upon development of different potentials at the respective first and second conductors, and diode means in each of said leads in series with the respective load, said diode means being all poled in a given forward direction of current flow between said conductors.

6. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over n incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number nm of said chanenls for selective energization thereby n and m being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining in channels for selective energization thereby, a group of up to 2- first conductors, a group of up to 2 second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first relays, means including contacts controlled by said second relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second relays, a multiplicity of selector relays for carrying out different printer functions, a set of leads respectively connect ing said selector relays between different combinations of said first and second conductors, and diode means in each of said leads in series with the respective selector relay, said diode means being all poled in a given forward direction of current flow between said conductors.

7. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over it incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number nm of said channels for selective energization thereby rm and in being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining m channels for selective energization thereby, a multiplicity of selector relays including a switching relay and a restoring relay for carrying out dilferent printing functions, a group of up to 2 first principal conductors, a group of up to 2 first alternative conductors, a group of up to 2 second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first decoding relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first decoding relays, and means including contacts controlled by said second decoding relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second decoding relays, said switching relay being connected between one of said first principal conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said switching relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first principal conductors to respective ones of said alternate conductors, said restoring relay being connected between one of said alternate conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said restoring relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said alternate conductors back to respective ones of said first principal conductors,

5 each of the remaining selector relays being connected between one of said first and one of said second conductors for selective energization by a respective combination of decoding relays.

8. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over n incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number nm of said channels for selective energization thereby n and m being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining m channels for selective energization thereby, a multiplicity of selector relays including a first and a second switching relay and a first and a second restoring relay for carrying out difierent printer functions, a group of up to 2 first principal conductors, a group of up to 2- first alternate conductors, a group of up to 2 second principal conductors, a group of up to 2 second alternate conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first decoding relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first decoding relays, and means including contacts controlled by said second decoding relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second decoding relays, said first switch relay being connected between one of said first and one of said second principal conductors for operation by a certain combinationof decoding relays, said first switching relay having contacts for shifting said second potential from said second principal conductors to respective ones of said second alternate conductors, said first restoring relay being connected between one of said second alternate conductors and one of said first conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said first restoring relay having contacts for shifting said second potential from said second alternate conductors back to respective ones of said second principal conductors, said second switching relay being connected between one of said first principal conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said second switching relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first principal conductors to respective ones of said first alternate conductors, said second restoring relay being connected between one of said first alternate conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said restoring relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first alternate conductors back to respective ones of said first principal conductors, each of the remaining selector relays being connected between one of said first and one of said second conductors for selective energization by a respective combination of decoding relays.

9. A system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over n incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number nm of said channels for selective energization thereby n and m being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining m channels for selective energization thereby, a multiplicity of selector relays including a switching relay and a restoring relay for carrying out difi'erent printer functions, a group of up to 2 first principal conductors, a group of up to 2 first alternate conductors, a group of up to 2 second conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first decoding relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first decoding relays, means including contacts controlled by said second decoding relays for applying a second poten tial to any one of said second conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said second decoding relays, said switching relay being connected between one of said first principal conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said switching relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first principal conductors to respective ones of said alternate conductors, said restoring relay being connected between one of said alternate conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said restoring relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said alternate conductors back to respective ones of said first principal conductors, each of the remaining selector relays being connected between one of said first and one of said second conductors for selective energization by a respective combination of decoding relays, and diode means in series with each selector relay between said first and second conductors, said diode means being all poled in a given forward direction of current flow through said selector relays.

10. A decoding system for the control of a printer in response to combinations of binary code signals receivable over n incoming channels, comprising a chain of first decoding relays respectively connected to a number n-m of said channels for selective energization thereby n and in being positive unequal integers, a chain of second decoding relays respectively connected to the remaining in channels for selective energization thereby, a multiplicity of selector relays including a first and a second switching relay and a first and a second restoring relay for carrying out different printer functions, a group of up to 2 first principal conductors, a group of up to 2 first alternate conductors, a group of up to 2 second principal conductors, a group of up to 2 second alternate conductors, means including contacts controlled by said first decoding relays for applying a first potential to any one of said first principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said first decoding relays, means including contacts controlled by said second decoding relays for applying a second potential to any one of said second principal conductors in dependence upon the state of energization of said, second decoding relays, said first switching relay being connected between one of said first and one of said second principal conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said first switching relay having contacts for shifting said second potential from said second principal conductors to respective ones of said second alternate conductors, said first restoring relay being connected between one of said second alternate conductors and one of said first conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said first restoring relay having contacts for shifting said second potential from said second alternate conductors back to respective ones of said second principal conductors, said second switching relay being connected between one of said first principal conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said second switching relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first principal conductors to respective ones of said first alternate conductors, said second restoring relay being connected between one of said first alternate conductors and one of said second conductors for operation by a certain combination of decoding relays, said second restoring relay having contacts for shifting said first potential from said first alternate conductors back to respective ones of said first principal conductors, each of the remaining selector relays being connected between one of said first and one of said second conductors for selective energization by a respective combination of decoding relays, and diode means in series with each selector relay between said first and second conductors, said diode means being all poled in a given forward direction of current flow through said selector relays.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,613,267 Durkee Oct. 7, 1952 2,628,277 Spencer Feb. 10, 1953 3,005,872 Vierling Oct. 24, 1961 3,084,219 Durkee Apr. 2, 1963 

1. A DECODING SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF A MULTIPLICITY OF LOADS IN RESPONSE TO AS MANY COMBINATIONS OF CODE SIGNALS RECEIVABLE OVER A PLURALITY OF INCOMING CHANNELS, COMPRISING A CONTACT CHAIN OF FIRST DECODING RELAYS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO SOME OF SAID CHANNELS FOR SELECTIVE ENERGIZATION THEREBY, A CONTACT CHAIN OF SECOND DECODING RELAYS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTED TO THE REMAINING CHANNELS FOR SELECTIVE ENERGIZATION THEREBY INDEPENDENTLY OF ENERGIZATION OF SAID FIRST RELAYS, A GROUP OF FIRST CONDUCTORS, A GROUP OF SECOND CONDUCTORS, MEANS INCLUDING CONTACTS CONTROLLED BY SAID FIRST RELAYS FOR APPLYING A FIRST POTENTIAL TO ANY ONE OF SAID FIRST CONDUCTORS IN DEPENDENCE UPON THE STATE OF ENERGIZATION OF SAID FIRST RELAYS, MEANS INCLUDING CONTACTS CONTROLLED BY SAID SECOND RELAYS FOR APPLYING A SECOND POTENTIAL TO ANY ONE OF SAID SECOND CONDUCTORS IN DEPENDENCE UPON THE STATE OF ENERGIZATION OF SAID SECOND RELAYS, AND A SET OF LEADS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTING SAID LOADS BETWEEN DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONDUCTORS FOR ENERGIZATION OF SAID LOADS UPON DEVELOPMENT OF DIFFERENT POTENTIALS AT THE RESPECTIVE FIRST AND SECOND CONDUCTORS. 